Today as yesterday Venice still draws visitors from every where, all of them wishing to experience its elusive dream-like ambience: it remains a city without wheels, built on rafts on wooden piles, located in the middle of a vast lagoon and still looking as it did centuries ago. Part eastern, part western, half land, half sea, Venice fits into no convenient category of place.
It is bathed in mystery and wonder through the tales of countless visitors and travellers, each one adding some of his own, trying to seize the city's indefinable nature. The millenary history of Venice then unfolds before you through an unparalleled variety of centuries-old palaces and their great array of architecture and world class fine art collections.

But how to visit and get the best of it?

First you have to fit into the particular texture of the city: join in on your own or as part of a small group or party and walk around unhurriedly through the maze of waterways and alleys. Second, let a professional guide show you around the landmarks, tell you the stories of the past and bring you into the living scenes of the present. A gondola gliding on a canal, a grocery market in full swing, a bar where you'll sip a glass of wine and taste local food, a workshop to see how expert artisans produce their traditional handcrafts and varied works. This is Venice; a city bustling with the joy of unexpected sights and sounds to be experienced at a walking, human and friendly pace.

And where you might get all this?

From us, A Guide in Venice. Fernando Viotto Rubira, Sabrina Scaglianti and Hélène Salvadori are three official licensed guides who offer private guided tours either through set itineraries or customized tours specially designed for small groups and independent travellers. And then, besides the art and cultural scene, A Guide in Venice is also eager to introduce you to the actual life of Venice as well sharing useful advice on food, local crafts, leisure and main events so they won't be just blurred images for you, our guests. Whether it's a first, second or even third time in Venice , we'll be pleased to show you around according to your own preferences.

Sightseeing and enjoying Venice with our walks and tours. Come and let Venice to be yours.

Therefore, when booking a local guide in any Italian city, it is your right to ask for proof that he or she holds a license before closing any deal. Under present regulations in Italy, as in most European countries, there is no such thing as a "docent", lecturer", "art historian" or "cultural association" to deal with when hiring the services of a local guide, either directly or through travel agents. Before showing any personal title or degree, guides must show that they are Licensed Tourist Guides first.

Licensed Tourist Guides are the only professionals permitted to conduct tours in all sites and museums within a city.

To become a Licensed Tourist Guide in Italy â like in most EU countries - candidates must pass an examination given by the local public tourist authorities to assess and test their knowledge of the city in terms of its history and geography, its art and architecture, its museums and art galleries, churches, its environs and cultural features. As part of the requirements, candidates must also prove their knowledge of each of the foreign languages they applied for with oral and written tests.

Licensed Tourist Guides provide a professional service to visitors: they act fairly in all dealings with all those who engage their services together with their colleagues, tourist services purveyors, local tourist boards and cultural insitutions. They protect the reputation of tourism in their own area of operation by taking all steps to ensure that their clients treat the environment, wildlife, sites and monuments and the local customs with respect. Local Tourist Guides are ready to share with visitors reliable up-to-date information on all aspects of the local life that may be of any importance to them such us temporary exhibits, food drink tips, markets, public transport, major events, and local venues.